Produced for the annual Commonwealth Health Ministers’ Meeting, the Commonwealth Health Ministers’ Update 2011 is a resource for Ministers on topical health priorities. The theme for the 2011 Meeting is "Non-Communicable Diseases – A Priority for the Commonwealth." Cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) represent a fast-growing threat to the health and well-being of populations all over the world. Public sector policies for primary prevention through health promotion are essential. Implementing such policies involves strong coordination across different sectors such as education, food, labour and finance.